Even This By Faith: An Answer to Loneliness and Disconnection

I'm happily driving in my minivan (because all seats provide equal viewing of the universe), and I remember how pleased Jesus is by our faith. I remember Hebrews 11:6 that "without faith, it's impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

I think about all the areas of my life that require great faith in God's precious promises--regardless of my circumstances or my feelings; regardless of what I perceive; regardless of the material reality about me, there's a spiritual reality that I want to access. I want to pierce right through into the truth of it and not live anymore in doubt, fear, or discouragement.

So anyway, I'm thinking about my struggle to find deeper connection with folks and those times when I or my children experience loneliness. "God is this true? Is this really the truth of my reality, or is this a big lie, these feelings and these circumstances?"

Immediately, I remember 1 Corinthians 12 and the powerful, beautiful, and real picture of what is true: I'm part of a body. I'm deeply knit in. I'm deeply belonging to everyone else, and they belong to me. The great lie is that we're alone, disconnected, alienated, friendless, awkward, and too hopeless for community. I note how Satan is always, always driving people into solitary places. That's how he works best, like a beast isolating his next victim. By faith, I claim the truth of who I am. I am not alone now or ever. I'm not disconnected now or ever. I'm not abandoned now or ever.

I'm dropping my daughter off at Vacation Bible School, and so many wonderful friends and family greet me with great love. Suddenly, I see it like I've never seen it before. The spiritual reality of my connection is a truth I know by faith. My feelings and experience may contradict this on bad days, but the truth remains: I am part of a great community.

Once I choose to believe it, the fiery dart of loneliness and isolation folds and crumbles against my strong and very real shield of faith.